Olympic Games: Day Two Prelims Trying To Feed Off Crackling Opening Night

The second day of prelims at the Olympic Games had a difficult act to follow, as the opening evening of finals was full of highlights, capped by the Australian women setting a world record in the 400 freestyle relay.

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The second day of prelims at the Olympic Games had a difficult act to follow, as the opening evening of finals was full of highlights, capped by the Australian women setting a world record in the 400 freestyle relay.

Efimova will be swimming right next to Rita in the 1st semi tonight…. It will be such a trying race for clean athletes… Meili and King looking sharp… Hosszu not as sharp in the 100back as I thought… Semis will be more revealing; some improve ; others fade badly…. It comes down to temperement and experience

Flyguy
August 7, 2016

I dont think we will see Ruta defend this title. Too much baggage and emotion. She looked rushed, and was really scratching those last 15 meters.

Very open in the mens 200 free. Le Clos looked great for 150m. Biedermann was great and looked comfortable.

Looking forward to Katies 400 heats swim

aswimfan
August 7, 2016

As I have mentioned a couple of months ago, no woman has ever defended 100 breast olympics title, and I think Ruta unfortunately will continue the tradition.

Gold will be King or Efimova (urgghhh)

Flyguy
August 7, 2016

Yes I agree with you aswimfan. Money is on Efimova, she looked strong this am.

aswimfan
August 7, 2016

Mireia Belmonte in 4:08. She clearly felt the effect of last night’s 400IM swim.

I can’t understand her coach who insisted that the more Belmonte swim the better she is.
Um… NOT.

I really hope she drops 200 IM to focus on gold medal chance in 200 fly.

aswimfan
August 7, 2016

Flyguy, yes (unfortunately) Efimova looked really smooth and strong.

Ger
August 7, 2016

Ledecky looked amazing

Flyguy
August 7, 2016

Ledeky… 5th 50 just dropped 29. What a spectacular swim, and she looked so comfortable. 1:58 – 1:59.

aswimfan
August 7, 2016

Ledecky just missed her WR again.
She did try, though.
Boyle missed the final.
Tamsin Cook, only 17 yo, made another PB and last to final.

aswimfan
August 7, 2016

Even Sukhurukov slowing down, Russia still in 3:12

freakin impressive

aswimfan
August 7, 2016

with Morozov in the final plus not slowing down, Russia could go sub 3:10

aswimfan
August 7, 2016

Magnussen is still unshaved Lol

DutchinUSA
August 7, 2016

And Nakamura 47.99 as start swimmer in series. Suddenly another medal candidate…

aswimfan
August 7, 2016

Chalmers is freakin impressive, 47.04, but very inexperienced, he swam on the lane line, the french swimmer just drafted him all the way.

aswimfan
August 7, 2016

Abood also swam like amateur. on the lane line all the way.

Chalmers is the darkhorse for 100 free medal.

Earvin on suicide mission as usual. this time he survived.

aswimfan
August 7, 2016

Magnussen also still looked heavy and overweigth. Disappointing.

aswimfan
August 7, 2016

Australia secured a very good lane assignment though, lane 3, between Russia (4) and Canada (2), and away from USA (5) and France (6).

Ger
August 7, 2016

Ervin still has the fastest split for the US so will probably be in the final with Phelps, Dressel and Adrian.

aswimfan
August 7, 2016

Anthony Earvin really really want to swim in the final, and he will. He split fastest despite suicidal first 50 (21.68). He will join Adrian, Phelps and Dressel.

Australian coaches have dilemma now, whether to swim Magnussen or not. He swam so slow, he looked heavy, and I cannot believe he still looked pretty unfit. Unless Magnussen can transform, Australia can say bye bye to gold dream.

aswimfan
August 7, 2016

Ok, I’ll say it. I think Chalmers will medal in individual 100.

commonwombat
August 7, 2016

Dunno about medal but certainly looks promising for a finals berth.

As for the rest of that relay; I stand by what I’ve been saying. You need FOUR solid legs to win gold and they just haven’t got that; you have two in McEvoy & Chalmers but hoping & praying with the rest. If they can scramble a place on the podium then thats a bonus.

W400fr: as expected from Ledecky. Smith a couple of seconds off her US Trials time and back in the pack who’ll be scrapping for the minors. Boyle missed final but perhaps not a surprise as her 400 hasn’t been stellar this year. Major cudos to 2015 World Junior champ Cook with her 2sec PB to make final.

M200fr: still looks clear as mud as regards who’s going to win this one. Plenty of 1.45highs/1.46 lows. Going to be a dogfight to make this final.

W100back: Baker rather than Smoliga the US mover. A major PB, does she have any more. Seebohm & others did enough.

W100brs: Efimova & King looked the best. Tend to agree w ASF, Meiluyte didn’t look good coming home. McKeown not bad, will be imperative that she can at least back up 1.06mid level in semis. Bohl … blew up. Maybe a significant momentum shift re W4XMED

Flyguy
August 7, 2016

I will say this now. It is a mistake to swap Ryan Held for Michael Phelps.

Tony was brilliant, and the USA have a great shot at winning. I just hope they know something we dont when it comes to Phelps pedigree on 100 freestyle.

If they have done it to just increase his legacy, it might prove costly.

Ger
August 7, 2016

Flyguy, Phelps split a 48 low lead off in a time trial in Atlanta last week. That and his experience are the reasons. It is, of course, yet to be confirmed. We will see later.

Blah Blah
August 7, 2016

Meilutyte looks out of shape. King looked great. Good that Nakamura’s swim went noticed here.. wasn’t even mentioned in the US NBC broadcast; it was the biggest news I think of the prelim. Agree w/Flyguy that Phelps is a risk, though I would maybe replace Ervin with Phelps not Held. Ervin is perhaps a bigger risk than Phelps given how crazy he goes out.

Thanks Ger that was a big help. You would this type of info would be readily available across numerous swimming web sites?

beachmouse
August 8, 2016

There were six women under Janet Evans’ old global standard this morning and a 4:04 only got you an outside lane.

Greatest. Women’s 400M field. Ever. on tap here.

aswimfan
August 8, 2016

Beachmouse, I agree. That second to last heat with Carlin was just thrilling. That was the most exciting women 400 free heat I’ve seen in a long time. Usually, women 400 free prelims are just meh. Ledecky has clearly prompted every mid distance freestylers to up their game.

Flyguy
August 8, 2016

I take it back. Phelps was sensational. His free looked great. The best its looked since 2012

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